Upstate Organizations and Leaders Invited to Participate in Regional Conversations

Greenville, S.C. – Ten at the Top has issued a call for presenters for this fall’s 2016 Upstate Regional Summit “Creating a Leading Region,” taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the TD Convention Center. Presenters will have the opportunity to share during one of the Summit’s five breakout sessions, each centered around one of Ten at the Top’s five Driver Areas: Human Potential, Economic and Entrepreneurial Vitality, Natural Beauty and Resources, Community Vibrancy, and Sustainable Growth. The submission deadline is April 15, 2016.

The 2016 Upstate Regional Summit carries the theme “Creating a Leading Region” and will provide a unique opportunity for business, community and civic leaders, as well as interested stakeholders and engaged citizens from across the region, to collaborate and network with the ultimate purpose of enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life in the Upstate.

Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, the 2016 Upstate Regional Summit will begin with a B2B Expo and morning panel of and Q&A with CEOs from across the Upstate, followed by breakout sessions. The half-day event will culminate with a Keynote Luncheon, featuring award-winning thinker, author, broadcaster and speaker Geoff Colvin, who serves as Senior Editor-at-Large of Fortune magazine.

Presenters at the 2016 Summit will focus presentations on one of Ten at the Top’s five Driver Areas: Community Vibrancy, Economic and Entrepreneurial Vitality, Human Potential, Natural Beauty & Resources and Sustainable Growth. Each breakout session will highlight local initiatives conducted by governments, businesses or community organizations. Sessions will begin with three groups providing a five-minute overview of their initiative followed by a facilitated question and answer session.

Interested groups and presenters are asked to completed a brief proposal outlining their presentations to Ashley Downing at adowning@tenatthetop.com, with an explanation of how that effort is helping to create a leading region. The deadline for presentation proposals is April 15, and presenters will be notified in June. Ten at the Top asks the Executive Director or Project Lead for all organization submitting a proposal to be available to participate in the Upstate Regional Summit. Presenting organizations will have the ability to set up a display table, as well as provide materials to attendees during the breakout session.

Ten at the Top thanks its current sponsors of the Summit’s Vision Driver Areas Breakout Sessions, organizations that include Piedmont Natural Gas, TD Bank, and Pacolet Milliken, with Driver Area Support sponsorship from Duke Energy, Mavin Construction, Limestone College, Erskine College, Trehel Corporation, and Southern Wesleyan University. Those interested in sponsorship of the Summit may contact Ashley Downing at adowning@tenatthetop.org, or by calling (864) 283-2317. Ten at the Top expects the 2016 Upstate Regional Summit to draw more than 800 attendees from across the Upstate, and to receive similar participation and support among Upstate leaders as the sold-out 2014 Upstate Regional Summit.

About Ten at the Top
Formed in 2009, Ten at the Top envisions an Upstate region where collaboration, coordination and cooperation across communities and business sectors are hallmarks. It fosters partnerships and cooperation amongst the ten counties that form South Carolina’s Upstate, and encourages these diverse communities to work together to enhance the Upstate’s economic vitality and quality of life. To date, Ten at the Top has hosted more than 500 meetings, programs, workshops and forums that have informed and engaged 25,000+ participants. To learn more, visit www.tenatthetop.org.

Greenville, SC [January 8, 2016] – Ten at the Top (TATT) will host the PIQUE, an event focusing on the collaboration and connection of young professionals in the ten county Upstate, which includes Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union counties. The March 7th program, to be held in downtown Greenville and will feature three workshops, a panel discussion on regionalism and community involvement, and several networking opportunities.

The millennial generation (ages 21-39) is quickly surpassing the Baby-Boomer generation and they will soon be our leaders. By offering valuable career and personal development opportunities, the PIQUE will open the doors of opportunity for future leaders of the Upstate to gather in one place to share ideas and discuss how to work collaboratively for the future.

For many young leaders who want to make an impact on their local community, one major barrier is having access to current decision makers who are helping shape the region. The PIQUE hopes to foster collaboration and bridge the gaps between young professionals and the Upstates top executives.

Workshops such as “How to Market Yourself on Social Media” “Executive Networking,” and “How to Serve on a Board” will each be led by experts on the respective topics. Executives from a variety of fields across the Upstate including but not limited to Small Business, Education, Finance, Nonprofit, Government, and Community are participating in the PIQUE to answer questions and make connections with the future leaders of the Upstate.

The event is being held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7th at the Clemson One Building (1 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601) with a reception to immediately follow that will include craft beer tastings, local food, and the opportunity to network. The cost to attend is $26 and space is limited. Register at www.thepique.org. For more information, contact Ashley Downing at 864-283-2317 or adowning@tenatthetop.org.

About Ten at the Top
Comprised of public, private and civic leaders from across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina Region, Ten at the Top was created to connect and encourage regional collaboration through data-driven research and regular convening of leaders and citizens to address key issues facing the region. Ten at the Top works with regional partners to foster collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow. For more information, visit www.tenatthetop.org.